[HowardL]

From the Sun-Times:
City set to buy land for O'Hare expansion

October 4, 2005

BY FRAN SPIELMAN City Hall Reporter

Chicago would annex 120 acres in northwest suburban Des Plaines to make way for a new north runway at O'Hare Airport in exchange for $800,000, under an ordinance advanced Monday by a City Council committee.

City Hall has acquired the private property -- primarily businesses -- it needs to build the north runway. The annexation ratified by the Aviation Committee includes that land and the suburban streets where those businesses are located, according to Rosemarie Andolino, executive director of the O'Hare project.

The Des Plaines City Council approved the annexation on Sept. 19, choosing that alternative over condemnation. Chicago agreed to oblige in return for $800,000.

"It includes the cost of the streets, as well as the annexation of all of the property," Andolino said.

Project grounded, for now

On Friday, Mayor Daley and a host of other dignitaries stood on the site of the new runway and watched as bulldozers started demolition.

Daley's joy was dashed hours later. A federal appeals court in Washington temporarily grounded the project hours after the FAA approved it.

Opponents of O'Hare expansion have made two primary arguments: that the city's plan to relocate more than 1,300 graves at St. Johannes Cemetery violates a federal law designed to protect religious freedom; and that Daley should not be allowed to acquire and destroy property without first proving he can finance the project.